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(03-19-2012, 08:47 PM)PaulaO2 Wrote: I didn't know any power utility offered a discount for CPAP (or any medical device) usage.

I am not surprised you are being asked to re-file the request. With the merger, and probably different billing software, they probably cleaned house and started over on a lot of things.

Here in Michigan, Consumers Energy offers a discount for electricity with a signed form from your doctor for Cpap usage as it is a life support device--by their own words and form available to download from their website.

I have heard it is common to consider Cpap a life support device by most utilities.

I don't think a CPAP uses enough electricity to warrant any kind of rebate or discount on an electric bill. It is not something I would ever take advantage of because that's how I would see it: taking advantage of something. It would be a waste of funds that could be used elsewhere. Even when I was at my brokest, I would not have done it. But then, I'm odd that way.

However, I believe that letting the power company know as well as the local fire dept know that you depend on electricity for your health, that's a good thing.

INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.

(01-01-2013, 12:24 AM)PaulaO2 Wrote: However, I believe that letting the power company know as well as the local fire dept know that you depend on electricity for your health, that's a good thing.

I thought so too, so I checked the web site for my local electrical utility. Here is what they say if you are on life support equipment that requires electricity:

"No one can predict a power outage. You should purchase a generator to avoid having to relocate to a shelter. Click *here* to have one of our experts come out to assess your needs and how to add the cost of supplying one of our approved generators to your monthly bill."

Like, "Oh, too bad, you died. Oh well, someone will buy your house from your estate and our income stream will continue unabated. Not our problem." Dontcha just love capitalism?

And I added my own generator, from Home Depot. And I have ten gallons of gas in the garage and another 15 that I can siphon out of the car if necessary - enough to run the generator for 40 hours. Since I need to run it only at night that is about four days worth of emergency power. And i don't owe the power company anything.

I hope y'all have electric utility companies that actually do something if a customer needs electricity for life support.

The power company knowing you are on electricity dependent medical equipment isn't just to get the power to you quickly. It's also so they know who is where. But, really, it is the local police department or fire department that should know not just for power outage but for any kind of emergency.

As for CPAP being "life support", I don't think it is. Yes, it is extremely, extremely important that we use it. Yes, it is beneficial not just for good sleep, but for several body systems to properly function. But, if the power goes out, I won't immediately die. My death from not using it would be slow and probably painful but spread out over an amount of time, years instead of days or weeks. To me, life support means power is necessary for immediate survival.

INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.

Useful Links

INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.